Case Study 2min(s)

GRC International Group acquired by Bloom Equity Partners in deal backed by Shawbrook

Regulatory and compliance service provider, GRC International has secured backing from U.S. private equity house Bloom Equity Partners, with funding solution from Shawbrook.

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At a glance

  • GRC International is a regulatory and compliance service provider serving clients in the UK, Europe and United States.
  • The business was looking to fast track its growth journey and secured backing from Bloom Equity Partners.
  • Shawbrook structured an acquisition loan to support GRC and Bloom Equity Partners with the transaction.

GRC solutions provider, GRC International was acquired by U.S. private equity house Bloom Equity Partners, in a deal backed by specialist lender Shawbrook.

Based in Cambridgeshire, GRC International was an AIM-listed holding company for several businesses providing products and services in the IT governance, risk management and compliance spaces, and was acquired by Bloom Equity Partners via a take-private transaction Founded in 2002, GRC International serves customers in the UK, Europe and United States, providing its international clients with a one stop shop which allows them to comply with current and future regulatory standards and commercial requirements.

Bloom Equity Partners is a New York based private equity house investing in lower mid-market technology, software and business services companies. Bloom identified GRC International as a business with strong IT and cybersecurity service offerings, believing the company can continue to seize growth opportunities within the market with the addition of Bloom’s resources.

Shawbrook was chosen as funding partner to support the acquisition due to the lender's track record of delivery, flexible offering and its ability to meet tight time constraints.

We have been very impressed with the flexibility and support provided by both Bloom and Shawbrook in completing this deal. It is an incredibly exciting opportunity for our business and, with Bloom on board, our team is set to take the business to the next level. IT and cybersecurity compliance has long been a crucial part of business operations and as time passes, its importance only continues to grow. GRC International is proud to be at the forefront of making the process of regulatory compliance and cybersecurity that much simpler for companies.

Chris Hartshorne Chief Financial Officer, GRC International Group

Jeff Hsiang, Partner at Bloom Equity Partners, said: 
“GRC Group is a well-established player in an important sector with over twenty-years of experience in supplying top quality solutions in IT management and compliance. GRC is a natural fit with our own objectives and we look forward to helping them continue to grow, thanks to our great partnership with Shawbrook."

John Palmer, Senior Director at Shawbrook, said: 
"We are delighted to be supporting GRC and Bloom with funding for a deal that plays such an important role in the modern world. GRC is a market leading cybersecurity specialist with a bright future ahead and we have no doubt Bloom will only improve the upward trajectory of the company.”

Shoosmiths provided legal counsel for Shawbrook on the deal.

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